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Alterations in the expression of myocardial calcium cycling genes in rats fed a low protein diet in utero

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Abstract

An adverse environmental experience of the growing fetus leads to permanent changes in the structure and contractile function of the heart; however, the mechanisms are incompletely understood. To examine if a maternal low protein (LP) diet can modulate the gene and protein expression of the Ca2+-cycling proteins in the neonatal heart, we employed a rat model in which pregnant dams were fed diets containing either 180 (normal) or 90 g (low) casein/kg diet for 2 weeks before mating and throughout pregnancy. A significant reduction in the L-type Ca2+-channel mRNA level in the LP group was detected at 1, 7, and 14 days of age. Although ryanodine receptor (RyR) mRNA levels progressively declined in the aging heart in both groups, the RyR mRNA levels were consistently higher in the LP group. A reduction in RyR protein content was seen only in the hearts of the LP group at 7 days of age. The Na+-Ca2+-exchanger (NCX) mRNA level was also markedly increased at all ages. Although an increase in sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum ATPase 2a (SERCA) 2a mRNA was only detected in the LP group at 7 days of age, corresponding protein level was depressed. On the other hand, an initial decrease (at 1 day of age) followed by an increase (at 14 and 28 days of age) in phospholamban (PLB) mRNA levels was detected. Although PLB protein level was also depressed at 1 day of age in the LP group, a marked increase was seen at 7 days of age. Moreover, the ratio of serine 16 and threonine 17 phosphorylated PLB to non-phosphorylated PLB was reduced at 7 days of age in the hearts of offspring of the LP group. These data suggest that maternal LP diet can induce alterations in the gene expression and protein levels of the Ca2+-cycling proteins in the neonatal heart.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a grant from the Manitoba Medical Service Foundation. Infrastructural support was provided by the St. Boniface Hospital and Research Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. I.H. Asper Clinical Research Institute (CR3129), St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre, 369 Tache Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R2H 2A6, Canada

    Paramjit S. Tappia, Heather Sandhu, Tina Abbi & Nina Aroutiounova

  2. Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Human Ecology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

    Paramjit S. Tappia, Heather Sandhu, Tina Abbi & Nina Aroutiounova

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  1. Paramjit S. Tappia
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  2. Heather Sandhu
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  3. Tina Abbi
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  4. Nina Aroutiounova
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Correspondence to Paramjit S. Tappia.

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Tappia, P.S., Sandhu, H., Abbi, T. et al. Alterations in the expression of myocardial calcium cycling genes in rats fed a low protein diet in utero. Mol Cell Biochem 324, 93–99 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-008-9988-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-008-9988-x

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